Chapter 3623
Shackles and Time
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In theory, when facing a powerful external enemy like the Han Empire, Emperor Vasudeva I should have united all the forces within the empire and made full use of its strength, thus creating the possibility of confronting and defeating the Han Empire.
Initially, Vasudeva I did just that, and the results were quite noticeable.
By weakening one side and strengthening the royal family, the royal family could gain the power to control both the north and south, thus acquiring true rule over the empire and unleashing the full potential of the Kushan Empire.
However, as planned, the Han Empire's offensive direction and forces directly crippled the Brahman forces in the south, but also seriously threatened the Yuezhi forces in the north.
In particular, the threat posed to Vasudeva I by the Han Empire's military forces from the north was far greater than that posed by the Han army forces from the south.
Although the damage caused by the northern Han army was far less extensive and obvious than that caused by the southern navy, for Vasudeva I, who was based in Peshawar, the closer north was actually a more critical location.
Once the Han army breaks through the Khyber Pass, they will be able to directly threaten Peshawar and the life of Vasudeva I.
Even after actual battlefield combat, the fighting strength of the Northern Han Empire's army would be difficult to break through the Khyber Pass fortress. Even if they did break through the Khyber Pass fortress, they would not be a match for the royal guards around Peshawar. But would Vasudeva I dare to take the gamble?
Winning the bet brings no benefit, but losing it means certain death in Peshawar.
In contrast, the South, despite suffering so many defeats, has only been driven to the doorstep of the core area by the Han Empire. It has not yet entered the core area of the Brahman, and the distance between it and Peshawar is an extremely long journey.
The distance in reality and the actual danger made it impossible for Vasudeva I to project the power of the royal family outwards, to coerce the armies of both the north and south, and to achieve unification in terms of strength.
Later, Rahul dealt a heavy blow to the Brahmins, seized control of Brahma's interpretation, and gained control of the military power within the southern Brahmin system, thus changing the nature of the situation.
Having achieved internal unification and possessing unified military authority, Rahul, leading the entire south, displayed military power that, to some extent, surpassed that of the royal family.
In this situation, if a large number of elite Yuezhi troops were incorporated into the Kushan Empire, then who would be the emperor of the Kushan Empire: Vasudeva I or Rahul?
Based on the available intelligence, Vasudeva I can be quite certain that Rahul has shown unprecedented loyalty in this regard.
But is this level of loyalty worth Vasudeva I risking his throne and his life for?
If he wins the gamble, he will most likely be able to defeat the Han Empire, and then Rahul will gain merit for defeating the Han Empire, his prestige will become even more terrifying, and his army's strength will become even more formidable.
Even if he loses the gamble, Rahul will still lead the entire elite of the southern Brahmins to block the advance of the Han Empire, and there is a high probability that he will be able to stop it.
Despite this coercion from the Han Empire, Vasudeva I was still able to remain on the throne.
The effects of winning and losing were so obvious that it was not surprising at all that Vasudeva I made such a choice.
The Yuezhi people, who were once a nomadic people, also had the bloodline of the Kushans. They naturally understood the nomadic life they once lived, the customs and traditions of the nomadic process, and were even influenced by such customs and traditions to a certain extent.
According to nomadic tradition, might makes right, and whoever has the biggest fist is the boss. Vasudeva I was able to become the nominal emperor of the Kushan Empire precisely because the Kushan lineage was powerful enough, and the royal family was strong enough to make him emperor.
The other branches of the Yuezhi were far less powerful than the Kushan branch, both in terms of military strength and size.
Vasudeva I, who became emperor through such hard power, was well aware that others could also use their power to oust him from the throne.
Therefore, politics is politics, and military affairs are military affairs. Vasudeva I, for political purposes, rejected such a choice and possibility, based on the correctness and requirements of military affairs.
However, in order to avoid damaging Rahul and to allow Rahul to hold out for longer, or even to repel the Han army, Vasudeva I eventually drew one or two legions from the royal family to reinforce Rahul.
The elite troops within the royal army, having long been indoctrinated by the royal family, would never submit to Rahul's orders, thus avoiding the possibility of the army spiraling out of control.
Sending troops to provide support demonstrates Vasudeva I's willingness to do so, which is the proper course of action for an emperor. In particular, the fact that the troops dispatched were from the royal family further underscores this support and recognition.
However, in terms of the size of the royal army, this level of support and assistance was more of a formality, a stepping stone for Vasudeva I to continue his journey.
In this way, whether in the north or the south, whether in the court or among the common people, Vasudeva I had a plausible reason, a seemingly very correct reason.
With such a reason in place, Vasudeva I's actions were filled with correctness and justice, rather than out of selfishness, fear, greed, and dread.
This complexity stemming from human nature was something that the strategists of the Han Empire on the front lines were generally well aware of.
It could even be said that the current predicament of the Kushan Empire is a result of their calculations and schemes.
The more troops Rahul gathers, the more terrifying his fighting power will be, and the stronger his deterrent ability will be.
This deterrent capability would not only intimidate the Han Empire's army, but also Vasudeva I.
As an excellent emperor, how could Vasudeva I tolerate an existence he could not control?
Therefore, restrictions are inevitable. However, since we still have to fight against the Han Empire's army, restrictions exist, but they are not absolute.
For the strategists of the Han Empire, this was exactly what they wanted—the time difference created by this constraint.
When Vasudeva I realized his mistake and wanted to fully grant Rahul power and remove his shackles, it would take time to complete.
This is the timeframe the Han army needs, and within this timeframe, the Han army must completely cripple the southern Brahman army, or in other words, completely capture Huashi City.
Completing either one is enough! (End of Chapter)